Archery range



Oct. 31, 1961 Filed Feb. 11, 1960 J. P. DEVITT, JR., ETAL ARCHERY RANGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 1 ROLAND D. CICCARONE BY JOHN P. DEVITT, JR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 31, 1961 J. P. DEVITT, JR ETAL 3,006,648

ARCHERY RANGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1960 z 24 Q as 4o 42 ,sz W30 51 1 POWER SOURCE F /g 5 27 s2- TARGET a1 RELAY I as 652 16 INDICATOR MOTOR 2 9 C0 M P U T E R ROLAND D. CICCARONE JOHN P. DEVITT, JR.

TARGET y United States Patent C) I 3,006,648 ARCHERY RANGE John P. Devitt, Jr., Oreland, Pa. (723 Walnut St., Philadelphia 6, Pa.), and Roland D. Ciccarone, 615 Hamilton St., Norristown, Pa.

Filed Feb. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 8,049 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-1022) This invention relates to an archery range. More particularly, it relates to a complete system for the practice of archery target shooting, being particularly adapted to indoor use and competitive shooting. The particular applicability of the invention will be in the provision of indoor archery galleries or ranges used by the public or other large groups of people in which rapidity of successive shoots is important from economic and other points of view.

Other factors considered in the development of this invention are safety and ease and accuracy of scoring. In general, it is the intent of this invention to provide an automatic or automated archery range wherein the activities of competitive or non-competitive archery may be carried out with much more efficiency than is presently available.

While the archery range of this invention is in itself a novel development, certain elements of this combination, as the scoring means, the arrow retrieving means, and the target positioning means are in themselves each novel.

In competitive archery, a standard or common arrangement comprises a series of adjoining lanes, each with a target butt at one end. The competitors shoot a given number of arrows at the target from a given distance or foul line. Additional numbers of arrows are shot at the target from different distances. In present day practice, the archers advance toward the target to fire the groups of arrows, and the possibility of one archer being closer to the targets than another at a given time results in an obvious safety hazard. Furthermore, the size of target used is varied depending on the class of competitor or the distances involved. Also, it is apparent that under present day practice, arrows must be withdrawn from the target in which they are embedded. This involves a timeconsuming step, is in itself a relatively tedious chore, and also involves another obvious safety hazard in that there must be a person at the target itself, at least at some time during competition. This invention contemplates a complete system or means whereby all of the above described functions may be carried out.

It is an object of this invention to provide an archery range.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means for the practice of archery including an automatic target, an automatic score keeping device, automatic arrow return means, an automatic target positioning means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an archery target having automatic scoring means.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an archery target unit having automatic scoring means and a plurality of target faces or rings.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means to vary the distance between an archery target and the foul line.

Another object of this invention is to provide means whereby arrows may be returned from a target to a foul line.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

3,006,648 Patented Oct. 31, 1961 FIGURE 1 is a plan view, partially in section, of a plurality of archery lanes,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view in cross-section, partially fragmented, of a target,

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view of a range, taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a front view, partially in section, taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, and showing the front of a target unit,

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram showing the circuitry of the range in schematic form.

The archery range of this invention includes one or more lanes, each adapted for archery target shooting. Broadly, the range includes a target which is selectively movable toward or away from the foul or shooting line by power means. Preferably, the positioning of the target is controlled by the individual archer. The preferred target unit comprises a target face into which the arrow does not penetrate. Broadly, the target is impact sensitive, having discrete impact registering means for each significant target area. Preferably, more than one target ring or face is provided on a target unit.

The preferred combination also includes means to tally the scores made by impacts on the target face. Another important component of the range is means to return arrows from the target unit to the foul line so that they may be reused by the archer. Preferably, such arrow return means normally operates continuously while the range is in use.

FIGURE 3 best illustrates the general arrangement of the range. A target unit 10 is suspended from target support means 31, 32, 33. In FIGURE 3, the archer would be stationed at the right-hand side of the figure. The target unit 10 is movable toward or away from the archer, and in the figure is shown close to its nearest approach.

The arrow return means 40, 41, 42 returns arrows that have struck the target face 27, 28, 29, or 30 to the righthaud end of the lane, depositing it in storage means 60 so that it may be reused by the archer.

A preferred embodiment is illustrated in detail in the drawings, and it is understood that a detailed explanation of the particular embodiment shown does not limit the scope of this patent to the embodiments described.

The target unit 10 comprises side shields 72, as best shown in FIGURES l, 3, and 4. The shields serve to isolate the targets of one lane from those of adjoining lanes, and are preferred. The target unit includes a case 76 having a front wall on which are mounted three target rings or faces, the smallest being 30, the next being 29, and the largest face being 27, 28. Three separate target faces are shown in the illustrations, but it is understood that a different number of separate faces may be used, for example one face, or more than three. As is explained, the provision of different sized target faces is desirable. The structural detail of the target faces and the impact registering means is described below mainly in connection with FIGURE 2.

The target unit 10 also preferably bears on the front face thereof a score indicating means 71. The score indicating means indicates the number of points credited for the impact of an arrow against a particular area on a target face. Preferably, this indicating means also totals the points credited by successive impacts and presents the total to the archer. Indicating means 71 is resettable by the archer. The operation of the impact registering and scoring means is explained in further detail below.

The means by which arrows are returned to the archer is an important development, both in itself and as part of the complete range. The embodiment illustrated utilizes a conveyor belt, preferably as wide as the range lane, as best shown in FIGURE 1, and continuously operating during use of the range. The belt 40 is disposed over rollers 42 and 54, forming a complete loop around these rollers. Roller 54 is disposed substantially parallel to the foul line or archer position and is close to that end of the lane. Roller 54 turns on shaft 56, which in turn is supported at each end thereof in bearing blocks 58. The roller 42 is fastened to shaft 41 and turns with it in the same manner that roller 54 is fastened to shaft 56 and turns with it. Shaft 41 however, is driven.

Shaft 41 is supported in bearing blocks 43 at each end thereof. Between the edge of belt 40 and one of the bearing blocks 43, drive means are provided to rotate this shaft. As best seen in FIGURE 1, these drive means comprise an electric motor 46 which turns a shaft 44. A drive belt 45 is driven by pulley wheel 47 and in turn rotates pulley wheel 48 which is attached to shaft 41.

The belt 40 is moved so that its upper surface is constantly moving from the target unit 16 toward the archers position, thus carrying arrows 62 from the target back to the archer.

Means are preferably provided to prevent an arrow ac cidentally falling off the belt. In the embodiment illustrated, these means comprise an elongated low partition 52 between adjacent lanes, and guards 51 at the outer edge of each lane which is the last lane in a set of lanes. FIGURES 1, 3, and 4 show various views of these means. At the end of the belt nearest the archer, the arrows 62 are deposited into storage means, preferably comprising a bin 60; the archer may simply withdraw the arrow by hand from the bin 60. The entire apparatus is mounted on a floor or other surface 100.

It is apparent that the belt 40 may be equipped with additional supports or idle rollers if desired. The abovedescribed means of arrow return is preferred, but it is ap parent that other means are also available. For example, a slightly inclined vibrating table may be provided, or the arrows falling off the target face may be carried back to the archer through an air duct, propelled by a blast of air. Other means of arrow return have been proposed, but the moving belt illustrated is preferred for its simplicity.

As is explained above, in competitive archery, arrows are often short at the target from different distances. It is a feature of this invention to vary the distance of the target from the archer, rather than have the archer approach the target. As has been explained, this provides an improvement in safety.

As best shown in FIGURES l and 3, the target unit is provided with means so that it may be moved closer or further from the archer. In the embodiment shown, the target unit is suspended from overhead target support means. These support means comprise an overhead trolley or rail extending along the longitudinal length of the archery lane.

The target support means comprises an elongated chan nel 31, 32, 33 extending over the lane starting from the ends thereof most remote from the archer. As best shown in FIGURES l and 3, this channel comprises a pair of vertical walls and a bottom wall 33, and end walls 32 at each end thereof. An elongated slot 31 is pro vided in each of the vertical walls 33 and extends substantially the full length of the channel. This channel is firmly supported in any convenient manner in the surrounding structure, as on the walls or ceiling of the room or building containing the entire range. The support means may of course also be mounted and supported itself on separate pillars, beams or other means, if it is not convenient to attact or suspend it directly from part of the room.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the preferred embodiment of the support means includes an electrically conductive strip 65 on the bottom side of the channel, said conducting means being insulated from the channel by means of insulation 64. The purpose of this conducting means 65 is explained below.

It is necessary to now describe the target unit itself in more detail before explaining its coaction with the support means. The target unit 10 is provided with positioning means by which the target may be moved closer or further from the archer. As best shown in FIGURE 4, these positioning means include upright brackets 14 and 24. An electric motor 22 is mounted on bracket 24. A shaft 16 is attached to and driven by the motor 22. This shaft 16 extends from motor 22 through the slots 31 and is mounted for rotation on bracket 14. A drive wheel 20 is afiixed around shaft 16 and positioned within the vertical Walls 33 of the channel which comprises part of the target support means. Additional upright brackets 18 are provided on top of target unit 10 to further steady the shaft 16 and to guide the travel of the target unit along the channel. The provision of these upright brackets or guides 18, as shown in FIGURE 4, close to the outside surfaces of vertical walls 33 serve to keep the target unit 10 firmly aligned to face the archer.

Electricity for the operation of motor 22 is preferably supplied by means of the shoe or sliding contact 66 which is provided on top of the target unit 10 and adapted to be in sliding contact with the conductive strip 65. Thus, a circuit including the conductive strip 65 and contact 66 may be closed by a switch, preferably located at the foul line, and the target unit is thereupon moved closer or further from the foul line. When the circuit is closed, the motor 22 rotates and the target unit is moved along the support means by means of the rotation of drive wheel 20.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the target unit 10 consists of a case 70. On the front face of this case 70, we located one or more target faces or rings. In the embodiment best shown in FIGURE 4, there are three complete target rings 30, 29, and a target face 27, 28. For the purposes of illustration, the detail of these target faces or rings has been simplified. Actually, each such face normally consists of a plurality of concentric circular faces and a central disc. This structure is exemplified in the central target face disc 28 surrounded by the concentric ring 27. As has been explained, the additional individual target faces are provided to meet the need of different sized targets. It is understood that only one of the provided target faces, for example, target face 29, is normally used during any one part of a match. As is the customary and normal manner, the various areas are given different scoring weights.

A more detailed showing of the target face 27, 28 is shown in FIGURE 2. This figure illustrates one possible method of recording the arrow hits in the appropriate zone or area. The center disc or target face 28 is provided with a hard surface, preferably metallic, backed by a resilient pad 26, preferably a rubber or resilient plastic. A shaft 13 is affixed to target face 28 and extends rearwardly therefrom. At the rear end of shaft 13 is fastened a switch contact 5 held by a grip 15 to the end of shaft 13 with an insulating piece between the shaft and the switch contact. An insulated backing sheet 7 is provided behind the above-described structure. A contact plate 8 is provided in said backing sheet 7. As can be seen, when switch contact 5 strikes switch plate 8, a circuit is completed.

In like manner, the target ring face 27 which is concentric with the central disc 23 is also provided with a hard front surface and is backed with a resilient backing sheet or member 25. A collar 19 is affixed to the rear of target face 27 and extends rearwardly therefrom surrounding shaft 13. Another switch contact 6 is afiixed to the rearward end of collar 19 by means of grip 17. Insulation is provided between collar 19 and switch contact 6. Another contact plate 9 is provided in backing sheet 7 in the same manner as has been described above.

It is now apparent that when an arrow strikes the face of disc 28, the shaft 13 is carried rearward so that contact 5 strikes plate 8, thus completing a circuit. The resilience of the pad or sheet 26 then acts to return the target face 28 to its forward position and thus break the circuit.

In like manner, when the target face 27 is struck, the sleeve or collar 19 is carried rearward and causes circuit 6, 9 to be made.

It is apparent from the foregoing that each time a different zone or area of target face, for example, area 28 or area 27, is struck by an arrow, a different circuit is actuated. For ease in presentation, the target in FIG- URE 2 is shown having two circuits, although it is pos-v sible and indeed probable that the normal target used will have more than two separate scoring areas and corresponding circuits. The structure as shown in FIGURE 2 is simply repeated by the addition of more concentric rings each operating a separate circuit in the same manner as has been described.

The score as obtained by successive closings of the circuits is indicated on score indicating means 71. Preferably, this is a visual number display provided on the front of target unit 10 so that it is seen from the foul line. A simple electrical adder is provided so that the total number of points scored by striking the various target zones is displayed on indicating means 71. A simple and known resetting means may be provided and preferably be operable from the foul line. The detailed electrical electro mechanical means to provide this adding and display function are very well known in many fields of art, for example as in connection with the so called pin-ball games, and it is not believed necessary to include such a detailed description in the present disclosure, since any person skilled in the art could provide such a circuit. For example, typical disclosures of such circuits are shown in Patents No. 2,307,958; 2,506,475; and 2,657,931.

A schematic diagram of the electrical system is shown in FIGURE 5, arranged for a range of four separate lanes, each equipped with a target at one end thereof. As shown, these targets are 27, 28, 29, and 30. The adding and resetting means briefly described above is shown in FIG- URE 5 as computer 82. The output of this computer is fed to and displayed on indicator 71, as has been described. A power source 80, normally merely commercially available electrical current, is provided, and the computing and indicating means is powered from this source through line 65. The motor 22, driving a target by means of shaft 16 is schematically shown in FIGURE 5, and is intermittently operated by means of relay 81. It is understood that each target 27, 28, 29, 30 is provided with its own motor and relay, as well as its own computing and indicating means.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the advantages set forth at the beginning of this disclosure are obtained by the provision of automatic arrow recovery means, automatic target positioning means, and automatic scoring means.

The means by which the target unit 10 is moved to or from the foul line may vary widely within the scope of this patent. For example, the target support means may extend right up to the foul line so that the target may be moved up to the extreme end of the line closest to the archer. In such a case, if an ordinary target is used instead of the electrically scoring target described herein, the archer may remove the arrows stuck in the butt without crossing over the foul line. The target unit may be suspended on an overhead trolley, a monorail or a multiple-rail system. One advantage of the overhead system as described herein is that the targets may be moved back to the extreme remote end of the lane, which ordinarily would be against a wall of a building, and the floor area may then be made available for other uses simply by moving the conveyer system. For example, an archery range may be made easily convertible into a dance floor or a skating rink. It is understood that it is also possible to provide enough space between adjacent lanes so that the target support means is floor mounted.

The switch means shown in FIGURE 2 may actually take the form of a plurality of micro-switches which operate relays. It is understood that such changes would be matters of design. A further refinement, as is well known in certain games, is to provide a memory unit so that more than one archer may fire at a single target and by proper control the scores of each shooter is kept separate. Such means are well known, and are not per se considered to be a part of this invention.

As for the arrow impact sensing means, the general arrangement as described in connection with FIGURE 2 is preferable, but it is understood that other means are available. For example, a target area may include two closely spaced parallel electrically conductive screens or meshes, and the arrow to be shot may have a conductive tip. Thus, such an arrow striking the target face would complete a circuit between the two spaced meshes and thus electrically record the impact.

The scope of this invention is to be determined by the appended claims and is not to be limited by the foregoing description and drawings, which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

We claim:

1. An indoor archery range adapted for compact multiple use comprising a plurality of elongated lanes disposed in side by side relationship, each lane being provided with a target unit, each target unit including a target face, sensing means to sense an impact on said face, means to add and record said impacts to provide a score and score indicating means to display said score, each target unit being supported on target support means provided over each lane and extending at least partially therealong and including an elongated channel, each target unit having target positioning means, each positioning means including an electric motor mounted on said target unit and a drive wheel connected to said electric motor, said drive wheel positioned in and movable along said elongated channel to hang said target unit from said target support means and to move said target unit along said channel, each lane being provided with an arrow return means to return arrows from said target unit to one end of said lane, said arrow return means comprising a movable belt extending substantially the entire width of each lane, a roller at each end of said lane, said belt being disposed over said rollers, and means to drive at least one of said rollers to drive said belt continuously in one direction.

2. An archery range as set forth in claim 1 wherein said target support means includes an electrically conductive strip therealong, and said target positioning means includes an electrically conductive shoe in sliding contact with said strip, whereby said motor may be actuated.

3. An archery range as set forth in claim 2 wherein raised guards are provided on each side of said arrow return means and wherein a shield is provided at each side of said target unit.

4. An archery range as set forth in claim 3 wherein a storage means is provided at one end of said arrow return means to receive and hold arrows delivered by said arrow return means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

